Day-1. DEPARTURE CITY – LIMA: Fly to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day-2. LIMA: Have a guided city tour of this old Peruvian capital, founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535. Visit the main sites of the Colonial Zone of Lima with its Spanish Colonial art and architecture such as San Martin Square, Main Square, Olivar Park, Cathedral, Church of San Francisco, and the Government Palace. Visit the beautiful Museo del Oro housing objects made of gold from the Pre-Colonial period in Peru. End the day in Miraflores, the most beautiful part of Lima. Here you can see the only Pre-Inca ruin remaining, Huaca Pucllana. Enjoy local restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, and fashion stores.

Day-3. LIMA – CUSCO: Transfer to the airport for a flight to Cusco, a town high up in the Andes where Incas’ artistic style and colonial art merge. Cusco was the capital of the Inca empire from the 13th century to the 16th-century Spanish conquest.  The elevation of the city is about 3400 meters above sea level. The oxygen is quite thin, and it is difficult to breathe until you get used to it. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and continue with a guided tour. See the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas, Church of Santo Domingo (Coricancha), Temple of the Sun, and the remains of Viracocha Palace.

Day-4. SACRED VALLEY TOUR: Go on a full-day guided tour of the surrounding area. In the morning, visit Pisacwith and see the traditional market and cultivating terraces on the mountain slopes. In the afternoon, travel to Ollantaytambo Fortress, the archaeological complex, which includes the main square and temples renowned for their smooth-finished granite blocks and trapezoid gates and niches. Continue to the fortress of Saqsaywaman, the biggest architectural work built by the Incas. It is a unique example of ancient Inca stonework featuring massive rocks, up to 300 tons in weight, fitted together without mortar. Most of the fortress stones were taken away by Spaniards building the city of Cusco but whatever is left is impressive. The huge construction is called the House of the Sun by the Incas. The city of Cusco and this monumental complex are considered to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Late return to Cusco.

Day-5 CUSCO – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO: Board your train for a guided tour of Machu Picchu, a 15-century Inca citadel built on a mountain  2, 430-meter above sea level. The train zigzags downwards and gets you to Aguas Calientes. In Aguas Calientes transfer to minibusses which will take you up the mountain to Machu Picchu. Continue on foot. There will be a short climb before you see this magnificent ancient Inca citadel. MACHU PICCHU was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacauti around 1450. It was abandoned about a hundred years later at the time of the Spanish conquest. The citadel consists of over 200 houses, and temples, built from precision-fitted stone blocks, a technique perfected by the Incas. About 750 people lived there permanently. Les people lived there just for maintenance when the emperor was not at his estate. See the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows, and Inhituatana. Late return to Cusco.

Day-6. CUSCO- CHINCHERO: Have a guided excursion to the town of Chinchero located on Incan ruins. The ancient town is situated around a temple in the main square. The stone structure of the original temple shows remarkable Incan craftsmanship. Today a Colonial church rests on a foundation that is clear to see. Then learn about the colorful handicrafts at the Chinchero Fair. The crafts and art objects are made with vibrant colors and out of unusual textures.

Day-7. CUSCO – LIMA: Fly to Lima. Settle into your hotel and have the rest of the day free to explore on your own.

Day-8. LIMA – DEPARTURE: Transfer to the airport for your flight home.